Chapter Two: The Queen of the Northern Isles

Author's Note: I write one chapter and my reviews page seems to have exploded with a debate. I'm rather flattered that a lot of you have fallen so invested in this story to warrant such reactions. I do want to take in the comments positively and I thank you all for the support. I want you all to know that even if I have not yet written all of this in full until the end I have a solid idea where this story will take and I have no intention of changing it. However on the subject of Elsa's barren state, hold on for a moment. I'm just two chapters in. I've just up the stakes for her in this chapter (which by the way, I wrote way before I posted the first one) and it may lead you to re-think where I am going with this.

March 16, 1813

Arendelle Castle

Dearest Amelia,

Words cannot express my sympathies for your lost. I know how much your father means to you. I cannot imagine how you must feel to lose him so soon after your brother Magnus. I grieve with you. Even if he and I had never met, I have respect for your father. His kindness to my people is a debt I can never repay. I pray for you, Lars and your children. If there is anything I can do to ease this difficult time, send me word and I shall do my utter best to fulfill it.

All church bells in Arendelle will ring today at noon to honor King Charles and I will have services offered for him for a forthnight as tradition requires in the Northern Isles.

Your friend and sister,

Elsa

Elsa blotted the ink on her signature before folding it and carefully sealing it with wax. She placed it on the silver tray on her desk just as Kai entered.

"Kai please have this sent out immediately to the Northern Isles. Are arrangements for the requiem in place?"

"Yes your majesty," her steward replied. "Pardon me for the intrusion this early in the morning. Lord Svenson is here to see you. He insists it is of the utmost urgency."

Elsa immediately stiffened at the name of the Northern Isles delegate. He was a pleasant enough man and Elsa counted him as a something of a friend. However, he had an obvious crush on her and constantly made not-so-subtle hints of flattery bordering on flirtatious which made her a bit uncomfortable of his presence. She supposed with the death of his king, he was here to talk business and little else.

"Send him in Kai, but please stay with us. He may want to arrange something specific for his people for the mourning services."

"He insists on seeing you alone. He said it was a matter of delicacy."

Elsa suspected Lord Svenson's concern had something to do with the documents she received this morning. She trusted Kai on the matter and would prefer him to be present to discuss it but she supposed the young Northern Islander might feel a bit peeved about that. They were culturally rigid on concerns of personal affairs and she did not want to offend his sensibilities.

"Very well, send him in."

Kai bowed out and came back a moment later to announce the young man. Lord Daniel Svenson was in his late-20s, tall, slimly built with a full head of jet black hair and dark eyes. He was a very handsome man and he had such a pleasing manner that many members of Elsa's court and even most of the servants were drawn to him. Elsa admitted she wasn't completely immune to his charms. If she were a single woman who wasn't queen she would not have minded his advances. However, it was precisely her position that made her cautious of him. He wasn't the first man to make an attempt to seduce her. She had received countless suitors from the time she was crowned. However, he was the only one that dared continue long after she was married. She neither gave him much serious thought nor encouraged him for she was careful not to give ammunition to any tongues wagging in light of her rather shaky marriage.

He strode into her office appropriately dressed in full black garb as what was expected of a diplomat in mourning. Yet even the gloomy outfit did little to diminish his appeal. She had to admit it only seemed to give him an air of mystery. Had she been a woman of less control, she would have swooned.

He came forward and stopped in front of her, bowing reverently. "My Queen," he began in dulcet tones. "Long may you reign in the Northern Isles. I am your faithful servant." He reached for her hand and gallantly kissed it.

Elsa was startled by his address and felt herself blush at his gesture.

"Sir, I am deeply honored but it is too soon to assume..."

"Forgive me, your majesty but it is inevitable. Our good King Charles has passed and you as princess-consort of the heir to the Northern Isles will assume that esteemed position as our new Queen. I wish to be the first to assure you the hearts of the people of the Northern Isles will welcome you after the mourning period has ended. I look forward to the day I see you crowned."

Elsa inwardly sighed. This was going to be difficult but he must know. "Lord Svenson, please do take a seat. I must discuss something important with you."

The young lord followed, his face registering concern at her serious tone. "Your majesty?"

She sat opposite him behind her desk. "I am deeply grateful and honored that you have deemed me worthy to be queen of your land," she began carefully. "However, I fear I may not be able to fulfill such a role." Her hand reached for a sheaf of papers on the desk. "You must be aware things are not so well between myself and my husband. This morning I have received communication of his intention to dissolve our marriage."

Lord Svenson stared at her open-mouthed but said nothing. He reached for the papers she indicated but stopped halfway and gave her a look for permission to go through them. When she nodded her assent, he quickly read the documents. Elsa observed the shock and indignation that registered on his face as he went through the pages.

"Your majesty I..." He shook his head and grimaced. "Forgive me for asking but this... this... he sent you this just this morning?"

"Promptly at eight. The moment I stepped into my office, his messenger was there with these," Elsa replied. She refrained from noting that this was the first time Knudsvig had ever been prompt on anything.

"But we only received word of King Charles' death at four this morning. At this time not even half the population of the Northern Isles is even aware their king is dead." He glowered openly. "Her majesty must pardon me for being blunt, but I have to say it. Prince Knudsvig's action is deplorable! Unforgiveable! His father is barely cold and the first thing he does is to insult his wife by handing her this! This!" He shook one of pages angrily. "He does not even have the decency to tell her or even write by his own hand! He had his crony threaten her to sign away her God-given rights as his wife quietly or be summoned to appear publicly in court to be judged and humiliated!"

He shook his head as his hands rattled at the pages. Elsa was rather astonished at his rage. She too felt the insult when she first read the documents but she had expected no less from Knudsvig. The truth was she was almost relieved he even gave her a choice to quietly divorce. Losing the Northern Isles would be a big blow in these times of war but it would be a small price to pay if it meant it would ease her situation if Knudsvig's supporters no longer needed to smear her name. She was prepared to give him his freedom if the worsening public attacks on her and her family stopped.

Just the other day, her soldiers had arrested two urchins, a girl and a boy, caught distributing pamphlets with dubious materials in the village. When brought before her, she was shocked to find they were no older than 12. They stood before her begging not to be frozen and pleaded for their families to be kept away from being eaten alive by trolls. The fear in their eyes troubled Elsa for it told her they honestly feared her. When she was shown the pamphlets they carried she was horrified by what she saw. The front page was splashed with a crude drawing of a grotesque version of Kristoff painted as half-man, half-troll performing indecent acts on a bound woman with red hair labelled as "Princess Anna." The degree of sexual violence depicted was enough to churn Elsa's stomach. However, even more frightening was the image next to it, portraying her as a witch holding in each hand a pair of troll babies with the likeness of Anna's twins while an army of snow monsters hovered in the background. Below this gruesome tableau were the words: "The Royal House of Evil."

The accompanying text in the back page told a fantastical story of how the evil trolls through their master Kristoff had turned the Queen of Arendelle into a barren witch then seduced her younger sister into becoming his personal sex slave. Their children were touted as spawns of the devil who will one day inherit Arendelle and turn it into a land of depravation. The narrative ended with a call to burn her with her nephew and niece and to behead Kristoff if he returns alive from the war.

She learned from the soldiers that arrested the two children that they hailed from one of the far-flung villages away from the Arendellian capital where life was significantly harder due to the rationing they had to do for the war. It was made even more difficult recently with the loss of many of their menfolk who had been conscripted as soldiers to fight in Russia.

The reports from those villages indicate she was becoming a very unpopular ruler, blamed for involving Arendelle in a war they had no stake in. The Purification League were known to frequent such villages. The mysterious members of that fanatical group were said to be preaching village-by-village and giving away food and supplies to the desperate in exchange for spreading seditious messages and damaging pamphlets.

Elsa had no doubt Knudsvig's cronies were behind it. She figured, Lord Bentley, one of Elsa' father's former courtiers who recently made a comeback as part of Knudsvig's entourage was the true mastermind. That stroke of savagery was an echo of a similar tactic he played to discredit King Agdar while he ruled. Without solid evidence, however, Elsa could not have him arrested. Lord Bentley's daughter Lavinia was Knudsvig's mistress. He had all the motive to discredit Elsa so he can elevate his daughter to become Knudsvig's queen. Elsa could see a potential respite to these attacks if she gave in to the divorce. Besides, relations with the Northern Isles may not be completely severed with the end of her marriage. Knudsvig's sister Amelia was still her friend. She could serve as an easier bridge than her brother.

Lord Svenson, however, didn't seem to view any bright side to this. He looked at her with such sympathy she could not help but be touched. "My Queen, Oh my Queen! What must you think of us Northern Islanders! You have been gravely abused. I apologize profusely for my countryman! If you dismiss me and every single Northern Islander from your land, I would understand... I will accept any punishment..."

Elsa couldn't help but feel he was being overdramatic about this. Nevertheless, she sought to calm him. "Oh no Lord Svenson, I do not blame a nation for the fault of one man. I could hardly blame you. You and I are friends and it would please me to keep our friendship."

"Ahhh my Queen, I do not deserve such friendship, but I am humbled by it and I will endeavor to hold to your esteem."

He stood up, grasped her hand from across the desk and kissed it. His lips lingered longer than was necessary that Elsa had to fight the urge to pull her hand away.

"I am your friend, and as your friend I will not let this insult go. Let me be your defender!" he declared most passionately.

Elsa quickly pulled her hand away in alarm. Does he mean to challenge Knudsvig to a duel? Oh for heaven's sakes no! That would end horribly. Knudsvig's most likely going to end up dead and I will have his blood in my hands! That's a scandal I don't need.

"Lord Svenson, I appreciate the offer but it is not necessary," she began.

"But it is!" he insisted. "Such an insult will not be borne. My honor will not permit you to suffer. You will be avenged, my Queen. I swear it. Things are already set in motion."

"Set in motion?" asked Elsa as she felt dread creep up her spine. "What do you mean?"

"My uncle, Lord Nyberg. He's on his way here with some of our generals. He will be here by tomorrow afternoon. When they come, I beg you not to stand in their way."

"Stand in the way of what?" Elsa gasped as she stood from her seat.

The young courtier did not meet her eyes. "He will be gone to where he can no longer hurt you. You must understand. Prince Knudsvig will never be accepted as King of the Northern Isles, not by the majority of the nobles unless he yields an iron fist. If he does he will be hated even more." He paced the room, his face a picture of utter loss. "If he comes to power we will be facing civil war."

Elsa knew this. Anna had told her as much from what she heard from Lord Nyberg while she was in Copenhagen. Suddenly, Elsa realized what horrible plan was being set in motion.

"Lord Svenson, let me make myself clear. Knudsvig may have treated me ill but I will not stoop to petty revenge. I will not quietly step aside while your generals kill my husband."

He stared back at her in surprise. "Kill?" he shook his head. "No, they would never do such extreme. He will be taken into custody for his own protection. You must know by now he has not much of a choice. If he attempts to claim the throne, he will most likely be assassinated. His abdication will be his only option so he can lead a quiet life."

"Abdicate in whose favor exactly?" Elsa questioned. "Amelia and Lars only have daughters."

He hesitated to answer and Elsa could see he was struggling to compose himself. "There is something I must ask you. It would mean a lot to my people and it would possibly avoid the violence of war."

And so we come to the real reason he's here. He could have gotten to the point much early on and save me the trouble with this dramatic interlude of acting heroic. I do not need to be saved by anyone.

"Continue," she told him.

"Once Prince Knudsvig will be taken in custody, a power vacumm will remain in the Northern Isles. I fear if such were to happen, we would be in pretty much the same predicament as we would be if Knudsvig takes the throne. It is essential that we ensure a peaceful transition to a legitimate heir."

Elsa knew immediately what he wanted. Her own advisers had hammered that on her non-stop for years. This time she was saying no.

"I'll give him his divorce. Quietly. We can agree to terms without a public hearing. He can marry Lady Lavinia and make their son a legitimate heir."

But the young courtier shook his head. "I'm afraid, your majesty, that is out of the question. The nobles see his mistress as a vulgar woman and their bastard son would never be accepted as king."

"Then find Knudsvig another wife that the Northern Isles nobility will deem acceptable," Elsa said with as much control of her voice she could muster. She was tired of this and she had a half a mind to send him away.

"It's too late for that. My uncle has kept the information of the king's death from the common people in the Northern Isles just to buy us time. However, we don't have much time. We have a few days, perhaps just hours before word gets out. There are various factions in the Isles that would not hesitate to put Prince Knudsvig's head on a spike once they know his father is dead and once that happens there will be a power grab where it can only end in bloody anarchy in the streets of the Northern Isles. My uncle and I are loyal to the royal family. We will neither see our country in ruins nor Prince Knudsvig come to harm. But we need time and we need your help."

"I have not given Knudsvig a child in the almost five years of our marriage. What makes you think I can give him one now?" Elsa said.

"You don't have to," Lord Svenson replied. "You just need to say you will."

Elsa stared at him, baffled by the statement before Anna's warning came back to her. Apparently the Westergaards were not the only ones with a plan to insert a child into the crown by passing it off as Knudsvig's. She was sure this young lord was ready to offer to be her lover to make this happen. She felt the uneasiness crawl across her skin and it lit her temper immediately.

"No," she said vehemently.

"Your majesty please hear me out..."

"I will not pretend to be pregnant with Knudsvig's child while you play your manipulative games for the Northern Isles' throne. If you think I will take a lover to accomplish a lifelong lie against my kingdom and yours then you misjudge me."

"Your majesty, please for the sake of peace for Arendelle and the Northern Isles. For your own protection and that of your citizens, I implore you to reconsider."

The mention of her citizens startled her and set her heart racing. She faced him with open fury. "Is that a threat Sir?"

The man shook his head. "Not from me or the Northern Isles but from others with the power to harm you."

"What do you mean?" she asked with her voice still on edge.

"Queen Elsa, I think it is best you hear this seated," he said gently.

Elsa would prefer to hear this standing but nevertheless acquiesced to his request. She returned to her chair behind the desk, eager to put some distance between them as she fought to calm herself.

"My uncle has received confidential intelligence from France. Emperor Bonaparte means to summon you to Paris soon and leave your sister in charge as regent."

"Summon me?" Elsa repeated indignantly. "I am a queen in my own land! He has no authority to summon me."

"I am sure Monsieur Forbreau will think of a gentler way to put it to you. I have managed to beat the French ambassador to an appointment with you this morning or he would be here now. He will term the summons as an invitation for you to come as a guest."

Elsa didn't like where this was going. "And if I refuse this invitation?"

"Then the Emperor cannot guarantee the safe return of the Arendellian soldiers in French custody."

Elsa felt her hands frost with ice. She hid them under her desk before Lord Svenson noticed. She breathed deeply to dissipate the ice but a layer of frost remained on her palms. She already suspected what the French conqueror wanted. She was going to be his prisoner to be used possibly as a weapon against this war.

Napoleon's army was defeated by winter. Now I will be his winter to be set against his enemies!

It was the only logical explanation.

"I can see I have alarmed you," said Lord Svenson in hushed tones. "It pains me to bring you such news, but you had to know. You must be prepared for it."

She could only offer him a nod. Her mind was in a whirl and she needed time alone to think and speak to Kai on her options.

She stood to dismiss him. "I am grateful for this information, Lord Svenson, she said calmly. "Now if you will excuse me..."

The young man however shook his head and implored. "Your majesty please, I can help you!"

"How?" she asked.

Lord Svenson held her gaze. "Tell the French ambassador you are with child and are in a delicate condition so you cannot travel to Paris. I can arrange for a doctor to attest to that. My uncle will take care of Prince Knudsvig and his friends to keep them quiet. We can force your husband to abdicate in favor of your unborn child. When he does, the entire force of the Northern Isles can then protect you, as our queen!"

Elsa shook her head. "I will not lie!"

"You have to! It's the only way to buy us both time."

He came forward and knelt in front of her. When he spoke again, his voice cracked. "Queen Elsa do you not see I care only for you? I would do anything to protect you. We can help each other. As Queen of Arendelle you will stand alone against France. You have no chance. As Queen of the Northern Isles, my people and I will stand behind you. We won't let you become a prisoner. We can find time to get your people out of French control then we can both join, Arendelle and the Northern Isles united under the Sixth Coalition."

Elsa could say nothing. Her hands were currently tied to France and she could not think of a way out immediately without endangering her people. But if she agreed to this farce, she may be setting herself to be an accomplice for the Northern Isles nobility's vie for power.

There was a knock at her door and Kai's voice called out. Lord Svenson hurriedly got up from the floor as Elsa bade her steward to enter.

"My apologies for the interruption, your majesty. Monsieur Forbreau is here and he insists on seeing you right away," announced Kai.

Elsa caught Lord Svenson's significant gaze for a long moment before he spoke. "Please think about what I said your majesty."

Elsa made no reply to him but directed Kai to let the French ambassador in. Lord Svenson quietly left the room and wordlessly passed the tall, thin man that came in.

Monsieur Forbreau was one of the oldest diplomats Elsa regularly dealt with. He was present during her coronation and was the one who helped sent Hans back to his brothers after his act of treason. Elsa maintained a warm friendship with the engaging Frenchman over the years so she hoped their existing rapport would make this easier.

"I came to offer my condolences, Queen Elsa, on the passing of your father-in-law," the amiable man began.

Elsa nodded and bade him to sit before her. For the next few minutes they engaged in small talk. However, she noticed the man quite distracted and knew immediately this was going to be an uncomfortable visit. She decided to go straight to the point.

"Monsieur Forbreau, we have been friends so long. I can tell, this is not merely a social call to see to my well-being on the morning of my father-in-law's death. Please, let us speak openly."

The man appeared to be grateful for the opening. "Indeed, I am here for other matters. I come bearing a message from Emperor Bonaparte." He handed a sealed envelope to her.

Elsa fingered the message then slowly opened it. The words were polite but straightforward. It was an invitation to be a guest in Paris with no specific reason for the visit. He might as well be offering to have her watch an opera or walk down the Champs Elysees with him.

"His Majesty was quite vague in his request," Elsa remarked. "Perhaps you can clarify his intent for my visit?"

"He…" Monsieur Forbreau hesitated a second before continuing. "Desires your presence in Paris immediately to discuss… vital matters about this war."

She eyed the ambassador carefully and replied without emotion. "Matters that cannot be discussed via letters? I do not see why I must be in Paris."

Monsieur Forbreau refused to meet her gaze. "The Emperor insists on meeting you personally."

"For what purpose?" she asked.

"I am afraid, I am not privy to that information," he replied. "I was informed that I must make preparations for your voyage within three days. And that I must request you to recall Princess Anna from her retreat so she can act as regent in your absence."

"Regent?" Elsa asked pointedly. "Does his majesty intend me to stay quite lengthily away from Arendelle that he deems it necessary I appoint Anna as my regent?"

The ambassador bit his lip uncomfortably. "I believe so."

"Believe so," Elsa echoed. "And would you know how long the Emperor intends that I stay away from my country?"

"That I cannot know, your majesty," he replied, the quiver in his voice was now obvious. Elsa had had enough of dancing around. She got up from her chair and took the ambassador's hand.

"Monsieur, I am your friend. Tell me what is really going on?"

The man finally looked up at her and there was fear in his eyes. "Forgive me Queen Elsa, I cannot say more than I have been told to. I can only advice that you accept the Emperor's request for you to come to Paris… to ensure the return of your citizens from the French army."

And there it is. The threat to my people if I do not comply.

"I was ordered to travel with you back to Paris," the man continued.

Elsa was surprised at that. "You are not staying in Arendelle?"

He shook his head. "I am being recalled back to France." He looked away for a moment before his face registered sudden resolve. "Queen Elsa, I am saying this to you out of our long-standing friendship. What I say now may be bordering on treason, but I cannot let it go unspoken."

Elsa merely nodded to him in encouragement, grateful that he was willing to risk speaking to her.

"The Emperor desires that I no longer continue as ambassador to Arendelle. He is sending my replacement in three days… with a full regiment under the command of Marshall Henri Baujeu."

Elsa's eyes widened at that last information. He's going to put Arendelle under French military control!

"There's more," he said uneasily. "Lieutenant Kristoff Bjorgman will be declared dead one week from now."

Elsa stiffened at the mention of Kristoff. Few people knew Kristoff was currently hidden in a cottage in the woods with Anna. For his safety and the preservation of his reputation, Elsa realized she needed to pull off a pretense she knew nothing about him.

"Is my brother-in-law... have they found a body... a record...to indicate finality?" she began haltingly.

"Queen Elsa," he said gravely. "We both know your brother-in-law is dead, lawfully executed due to his desertion in Moscow. The Emperor knows that as well but he is willing to hide the facts surrounding his death. Lieutenant Bjorgman will be reported dead but it will be announced that he died in battle and will be granted a hero's honor."

Elsa was baffled at those words. That didn't make any sense at all. However, she realized she needed to tread carefully even with Monsieur Forbreau. It would not do to make the world known just yet that Kristoff was still alive. "Why would the Emperor do that?"

"Quite simply, the Emperor is concerned of your sister's reputation. The rumors about her being associated with a peasant man raised by trolls is already damaging, being once married to a deserter would invite further doubt to her character and open unpleasant questions to the public on Arendelle's stand in the Russian campaign."

"Why would he even bother about Anna's character and where Arendelle's opinion lies?" Elsa asked.

"Because he wants Marshall Baujeu to take Princess Anna as his wife."

Elsa no longer needed the French ambassador to elaborate. Emperor Bonaparte wasn't just content to threaten the lives of the Arendellian soldiers to ensure she would comply with his demands. He will control her permanently by controlling the rest of Arendelle through her sister.

And when I am no longer useful to France, Napoleon can get rid of me but he will continue to exert control over Arendelle, legitimized through marriage of his loyal marshall to my sister. I cannot let this happen! Not to Anna! Not to Arendelle! Not to me!

Elsa stood up and squared her shoulders before replying carefully. "Monsieur Forbreau, thank you for telling me this. Please tell the Emperor I am honored by his invitation to come to him but I cannot leave Arendelle."

The French ambassador stared at her in surprise. "But Queen Elsa, the Emperor insists..."

"I am sure our good Emperor will understand I cannot travel in my present circumstance."

The ambassador looked baffled. "Your circumstance?"

Elsa bravely put up a smile. She linked her hands together at her back so the ambassador could not see how frost had once again covered them. Her voice contained no hint of a quiver when she spoke next: "Why yes Monsieur. Knudsvig and I have not yet announced it as we are still in mourning. However, I believe the Emperor will forgive me for not coming if he knew my condition is too delicate for travel as I am presently carrying the heir to the Northern Isles."